Driving the Future of Mobility: Malta’s First Autonomous Bus Trial

The University of Malta is leading research into the future of autonomous and sustainable mobility, with Malta’s first autonomous bus now being tested on a route around San Lawrenz, Gozo.

The seven-minute route, connecting the Ciangura bus stop near the Parish Church with Ta' Dbieġi Crafts Village, provides a real-world environment in which to study how autonomous transport technologies perform within a Maltese setting.

Travelling at a maximum speed of 20 km/h, the electric shuttle uses cameras, sensors and GPS to continuously monitor its surroundings, identify obstacles and respond to changing road conditions. A trained safety operator remains on board throughout the trial, ready to take control when required.

For the University of Malta, and especially for Prof. Maria Attard and Dr Karyn Scerri from the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development, the trial is about more than demonstrating that an autonomous vehicle can drive. It is an opportunity to understand how such technology interacts with Malta’s unique roads, infrastructure, traffic conditions and communities.

The pilot forms part of metaCCAZE, a European Commission-funded Horizon Europe project exploring intelligent, electric and automated mobility solutions across European cities. By testing the technology in different environments, the project aims to build knowledge on how autonomous mobility can be safely and effectively integrated into existing transport systems.

The San Lawrenz trial is being carried out in collaboration with Malta Public Transport and the Ministry for Sustainable Mobility, alongside the University of Malta. Passengers using the service are also being encouraged to share their experiences and feedback, providing an important research component of the pilot.

As Malta explores new approaches to mobility, this project places research and innovation at the centre of the conversation. What may look like a short seven-minute bus journey is, from a research perspective, a valuable step towards understanding what the future of public transport could look like in Malta and beyond.

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